When they left the haunted house, Xie Chen and Huo Wenye walked side by side at the very back of the group.
The cameraman sensed that something was slightly off about the atmosphere, so he quickened his pace and put some distance between himself and them.
The next second, Xie Chen felt an itch by his ear.
"If you knew my judgment was wrong, why didn't you say so? Were you deliberately saving me face?"
That deep, magnetic voice was like a claw scratching at his heart.
"Cough, cough!" Xie Chen cleared his throat awkwardly. "You're overthinking it. I just wanted to confirm it one last time. As an amateur, being able to analyze things to this extent is already pretty impressive."
As he spoke, he picked up his pace, wanting to escape the ambiguous closeness between them. But his wrist was suddenly grabbed. "Was Professor Smith always this tolerant and kind to his other students too?"
"I..." Xie Chen had barely made a sound before he heard the next question.
"Could you tutor me privately? I'm very interested in criminal investigation and forensics." Huo Wenye's grip on Xie Chen's fingers tightened. "The tutoring fee can be whatever you want. Just name a price."
Xie Chen's ears perked up at the mention of money. Forgetting whether their close proximity might get filmed, he opened his mouth, ready to ask, Whatever I ask for, you'll pay?
But when he turned his head, he met those deep, obsessive eyes.
Unspoken emotions surged within them.
It was as though he had seen a precious treasure he had lost years ago.
Only for it to suddenly return before him...
He stared without blinking, as if afraid it would fly away the moment he closed his eyes.
"W-Why are you looking at me like that?!"